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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 17th, 2024–Feb 18th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Rockies, Sugarbowl, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler.

Be cautious of stiff wind slabs at ridgetops and rollovers.

These slabs may not bond well with the crust beneath them.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported at the time of publishing on Saturday.

On Friday, numerous small wet loose avalanches were reported from slopes facing the sun.

Our North Rockies field team reported a small (size 1) rider-triggered wind slab avalanche that occurred on Thursday. Northeast aspect at treeline. See photos.

If you head into the backcountry, consider posting to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

South through west aspects are stripped down to a thick crust that formed early in February. This crust exists at all elevations. On north through east aspects you will likely find old wind slabs over this crust. Due to recent cold temperatures, weak sugary snow crystals are forming under these wind slabs, which means they may be more likely to slide on the crust.

In treeline terrain that is sheltered from the wind, 5 to 10 cm of settled snow sits above the crust.

Surface hoar is growing on all aspects at all elevations up to 12 mm, even on ridgetops.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Clear skies. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. -5 °C.

Sunday

Clear skies. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1000 m on the east side of the region.

Monday

A mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.